NAD C 328 Hybrid Digital DAC Amplifier Preview

Simple and elegant audio has arrived at my doorstep in the form of NAD’s C 328 Hybrid Digital DAC Amplifier.

It’s a slim, two-channel box with support for analog components, moving magnet phono cartridges, four digital sources, and Bluetooth streaming. While it may seem like a veritable Swiss Army Knife of amplifiers, it is actually super-easy to set up and enjoy.

As the successor to the venerable C 326BEE, it brings digital audio and Bluetooth support to the party in the form of an advanced eight-channel DAC section. This cost-effective part sums its inputs to provide a dual-differential signal path. Along with an Active Power Supply and a Load Invariant output stage, the C 328 pumps out clean sound and delivers high volume without distortion, and it handles difficult speaker loads without generating excess heat.

The Class D amp section is a custom version of the much-heralded Hypex UcD self-oscillating analog amplifier. You’ll find a similar part in NAD’s 3020 desktop amp which I reviewed in 2013, and which earned a Secrets Best Of Award in the process.

Convenience is solidly in evidence here with a slim design and a chassis shallow enough to work on most bookcases, just over 11” deep. Even when blasting Metallica at ear-splitting levels, there is so little heat generated that you won’t need to worry about ventilation. Just connect a source, or pair with a Bluetooth device, hook up two speakers, and enjoy. It’s truly that easy. I set up my sample in about 10 minutes.

I’ll be spending a few afternoons listening to the C 328 Hybrid Digital DAC Amplifier before writing my full review. You can expect to read that here very soon.

See the complete review of the NAD C 328 Hybrid Digital DAC Integrated Amplifier

Chris Eberle

Chris' passion for audio began when he took up playing the bassoon at age 12. During his third year at the New England Conservatory of Music, he won a position with the West Point Band where he served for 26 years as principal bassoonist. He retired from the Army in 2013 and is now writing full time and performing as a freelance musician in Central Florida. As an avid movie lover, Chris was unable to turn away the 50-inch Samsung DLP TV that arrived at his door one day, thus launching him irrevocably into an obsession with home theater. Dissatisfied with the image quality of his new acquisition, Chris trained with the Imaging Science Foundation in 2006 and became a professional display calibrator. His ultimate theater desires were realized when he completed construction of a dedicated cinema/listening room in his home. Chris is extremely fortunate that his need for quality audio and video is shared and supported by his wife of over 25 years. In his spare time he enjoys riding his recumbent trike at least 100 miles per week, trying out new restaurants, going to theme parks and spending as much time as possible watching movies and listening to music. Chris enjoys bringing his observations and discoveries about every kind of home theater product to as many curious and well-informed readers as possible. He is proud to be a part of the Team and hopes to help everyone enjoy their AV experiences to the fullest.